Slater on cusp as WSL cut-off looms at Margaret River

Kelly Slater's self-confessed slump might cost him a full-time spot on the World Surf League's (WSL) top tour but that doesn't mean he can't still win a 12th title.

Western Australia's Margaret River Pro is the fifth and final stop on the WSL's Championship Tour (CT) before the controversial mid-season cut that will reduce the field to 10 women and 22 men for the last five events.

Slater wowed the sporting world when he won the 2022 Pipeline title days before his 50th birthday, a staggering 30 years after his first victory at the Hawaiian break.

But he has battled injury and struggled to find form since and, after finishing 15th last season, sits in 26th spot entering the Margaret River Pro.

He will need to do what he hasn't managed all year and reach at least the quarter-finals to have any chance of climbing the rankings ladder.

"That sucks," the 51-year-old said of the prospect of missing the cut. 

"I've been in a slump for like a year. You're not going to stay on tour if you keep doing that."

But, thanks to a recent rule change, even if he is one of the 12 men left behind once the tour leaves Australia, the Floridian great could still be there when the top five fight for the title on finals day.

With two wildcards on offer for each event, the 11-time champion has a window to compete and, unlike last year, accumulate points for those results.

If he is handed regular wildcards he could still amass enough points to surge into the top five and vie for another world title.

Australian favourite Sally Fitzgibbons was one of those surfers in tears when she missed the cut last year and, after benefiting from a wildcard to return directly to the CT this season, she is in a similar boat to Slater.

Sitting 13th, Fitzgibbons would likely need to make the final eight at Margaret River to leapfrog a congested leaderboard.

Only compatriots Molly Picklum and Tyler Wright, along with American Carissa Moore, are safe thanks to their dominant starts to the season.

Seven spots remain up for grabs in a field that includes defending world champion Stephanie Gilmore (ninth) and reigning event champion Isabella Nichols (10th).

Nichols had to win at Margaret River to make the cut last year.

"I'm coming in on the verge of the cull but I'm feeling comfortable and confident," she said. 

"Last year has given me some confidence but maybe some anxiety as well; being defending champion is a lot of pressure.

"But I found myself at Bells again (with a semi-final appearance). 

"So finding the fun and joy of surfing and being back in one of my favourite places, I'm excited."

Conditions are favourable ahead of Thursday morning's first call.